The Fremont County Nursing Office reports two human cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Fremont County. County Nurse Clarice Little says the two cases involve a Canon City resident and a Florence resident. They are among sixty human cases of West Nile Virus confirmed in Colorado this summer.
In addition one horse in Fremont County has contracted the virus and one of the mosquito testing pools came back with a positive test for the virus. Fremont County West Nile Virus program coordinator J.R. Phillips says health officials across the state report that while West Nile cases have spiked this summer for the first time since the outbreak in 2003, it appears as though the human cases reported so far have been milder forms of the virus. The Colorado Department of Public Health reports that only three West Nile cases developed into the more severe encephalitis while fifty of the cases involve only a fever. No deaths have been reported.
Clarice Little reminds residents to take necessary precautions against the mosquitoes which carry the virus. She says to observe the 'Four D's' against West Nile Virus.
In addition one horse in Fremont County has contracted the virus and one of the mosquito testing pools came back with a positive test for the virus. Fremont County West Nile Virus program coordinator J.R. Phillips says health officials across the state report that while West Nile cases have spiked this summer for the first time since the outbreak in 2003, it appears as though the human cases reported so far have been milder forms of the virus. The Colorado Department of Public Health reports that only three West Nile cases developed into the more severe encephalitis while fifty of the cases involve only a fever. No deaths have been reported.
Clarice Little reminds residents to take necessary precautions against the mosquitoes which carry the virus. She says to observe the 'Four D's' against West Nile Virus.
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Dawn/dusk-Be sure to use protection or avoid being outside during these times of the day, when mosquitoes are most active.
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Dress-Wear loose fitting, lightweight long sleeves and pants when you're outside. For extra protection, spray thin clothing with insect repellent.
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DEET- Whenever you're outdoors, use an insect repellent with DEET (N, N-diethylm-toluamide) or another repellent approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as products containing picaridin and lemon of eucalyptus oil. DEET products generally provide the longest protection times. Other repellents do work but must be applied more frequently. Follow the label directions, and use products with lower concentrations of DEET on children. Higher concentrations don't protect better; they just provide longer protection.
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Drain-Get rid of standing water in your backyard and neighborhood. Drain any standing water in old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters. These are mosquito-breeding sites. Change the water in birdbaths at least weekly.
August is one of the months posing the highest risk of infection. Infected mosquitoes continue to feed through September and early October depending on the weather. But fewer than ten percent of human cases of West Nile Virus are contracted after Labor Day.